Spinning Teacups

Let’s make this clear: I adore tea. Teahouses are one of the first things I visit when in a new place (I still have fond memories of Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena, Calif., the late Rose in Gig Harbor and of the cucumber sandwiches at a little teahouse in the Cotswolds of England). So I was overjoyed to learn that petite Queen Anne teahouse Teacup (2207 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-284-6754) is moving to bigger digs this fall, just up the hill to the former Tully’s coffee location at Boston Street.

Owner Elisabeth Knottingham says she searched more than two years for the right place to grow her bustling tea business. When the new shop opens in October she’ll have double the space and more flexibility for tea-related events, like history classes, seasonal tea tastings and more.

I’m always searching for new flavors to fill my teapot collection.

When it’s late at night or I need a lift, I’m partial to Capitol Hill’s Remedy Teas. Wallingford’s Teahouse Kuan Yin has divine coconut cake. Typhoon! has a tea list that rivals many restaurant wine lists.

In a city of coffee drinkers, where are your favorite places to sit and sip, or to take your leaves to go? Who has your favorite selection, savories and sweets?

About us

Bethany Jean Clement is The Seattle Times food writer. Her writing has also appeared in Best Food Writing, Food & Wine, Gourmet.com, Beard House, Town & Country, Edible Seattle, The Stranger and more. Follow her on Twitter: @BJeanClement.